Tweeters vs Horns
Tweeters vs horns is partly a naming problem: in PA, "horn" usually means a compression driver on a horn, which is itself a high-frequency device. The real choice is between direct-radiating tweeters and horn-loaded drivers, and for a sound system it is decided by output and coverage control.
Compression driver and horn
The standard PA high-frequency device. A diaphragm drives a small throat through a phase plug, which equalises path lengths from different parts of the diaphragm to the throat so they don't cancel. The horn then matches the driver to the air. Professional combinations reach 105 to 112 dB/W/m, far above direct radiators, and the horn's geometry sets the coverage angle. See compression drivers and horns and horn loading explained.
Dome tweeters
A small dome radiating directly, as in hi-fi and studio monitors. Small radiating area limits output at the bottom of its range, and a small voice coil limits power. Wide dispersion at the top, but output that rarely keeps pace with a sound system's bass.
Bullet tweeters
A horn-loaded driver with a bullet-shaped phase plug at the mouth. Common in sound system tops as an extra top band above the main horn.
Piezo tweeters
Driven by a piezoelectric element rather than a voice coil. Cheap, and rarely used where fidelity matters.
Ribbon tweeters
A thin conductive ribbon in a magnetic field. Traditionally limited in output by the large magnetic gaps they need; higher-power designs now appear in some line arrays. See line array vs point source.
| Type | Output | Coverage control | Sound system use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression driver + horn | High (105 to 112 dB/W/m) | Set by horn | Main high band |
| Bullet | High | Depends on design | Extra top above the main horn |
| Dome | Limited | Wide, uncontrolled | Monitoring, small rooms |
| Ribbon | Traditionally low | Varies | Specialist |
| Piezo | Varies | Varies | Budget only |
Choosing
- Highs that must reach a crowd at sub-matched level: compression driver on a horn.
- Extra air above the main horn: bullets, on their own crossover band. See crossover basics.
- Close-range monitoring: dome tweeters.
Browse tweeters and compression drivers.
Sources: Wikipedia: Tweeter (phase plug function, 105 to 112 dB/W/m, dome, piezo and ribbon output), checked October 2026.
Questions
What is the difference between a tweeter and a horn?
A tweeter is any high-frequency driver. A horn is a flared duct that loads a driver. In PA, "horn" usually means a compression driver on a horn, which is far more efficient than a direct-radiating tweeter and controls coverage.
How efficient is a compression driver and horn?
Professional horn and compression driver combinations have sensitivities of about 105 to 112 dB/W/m, substantially higher than dome tweeters.
What do bullet tweeters do in a sound system?
They are horn-loaded drivers with a bullet-shaped phase plug, typically run on their own band above the main horn to add extra top end.